Abstract

This document contains data on arsenic with regard to sources and distribution, the risks based on a consideration of exposure levels and harmful concentrations and the technical possibilities to reduce these risks. Arsenic is a metalloid. With regard to its properties it belongs to the group of elements between the (heavy) metals and the non-metals. Arsenic occurs naturally ; the natural sources are sometimes considerably greater than the anthropogenic ones. In the Netherlands arsenic is mainly applied in wood preservation and also as a softening agent in PVC, in alloys and in drugs.